Rock Cress Plant Care

Rock Cress (Boechera stricta) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Boechera genus. Rock Cress is native to much of North America, including most of Canada, and the western and northeastern United States. Rock Cress is also known as Wayside Rockcress.

Rock Cress displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Rock Cress produces small white or purple flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Rock Cress every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Rock Cress thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Boechera stricta tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Rock Cress prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Rock Cress to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Rock Cress every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Rock Cress is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Rock Cress can spread to about 1 ft (0.2 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Rock Cress while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Rock Cress is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Rock Cress can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Rock Cress is susceptible to aphids, cabbage worms, flea beetles. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Rock Cress grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Rock Cress is native to much of North America, including most of Canada, and the western and northeastern United States. In cooler regions, grow Rock Cress as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.